Anxiety, Depression & Anger
Storm cloud overhead, copyright Carolyn Gibson Smith
Anxiety, depression, and anger are among the most common experiences people bring to psychotherapy. They may show up in ways that feel manageable and informative, or they can be overwhelming, persistent, or difficult to shift.
It’s not uncommon to carry shame about these experiences, or feel unsure how to navigate them when they arise.
How I Approach This Work
Early in our work, the focus is on helping you feel as steady as possible. We may use practical techniques to regulate your nervous system, so that the intensity of thoughts and emotions becomes more manageable and less consuming.
From there, attention can shift toward how these experiences are connected to your life history: when they’ve been helpful, what they may be pointing to, and how they have evolved over time.
This includes identifying recurring patterns, working with different parts of you, and trying out alternative ways of responding internally and to the people and situations you face. Even small shifts—such as noticing and naming thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations—can begin to change how these experiences feel and how much influence they have.
What This Work Can Support
Feeling less overwhelmed by intense emotional states
Developing practical ways to regulate and settle yourself
Recognizing patterns in how anxiety, depression, or anger arise
Responding with more clarity and intention
Reconnecting with what matters, even in the presence of difficulty
The aim is not simply to eliminate these experiences, but to relate to them differently—so they feel more manageable, less consuming, and more informative over time.